Colleges with the most NHL 1st-round draft picks, all time (2024)

Since the firstNHL Draft in 1963, there have been 185college hockey players drafted in the first round, representing fiveconferences and 28 Division I programs. Michiganleads the way with 30first-rounders followed by Minnesotawith 22.

The Wolverines' footprint is all over the NHLfrom veterans Max Pacioretty (Vegas Golden Knights) and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) to one of the game's more tantalizing prospects in Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks). Noschoolcan claim more top-round representation than Michigan, which has produced 16.2percent of allfirst-round picks in NHL history.

In 2021, the Wolverines became the first school since 1969 to have two teammates selected with the top two overall picks. The Buffalo Sabres picked Owen Powerfirst, followed by the expansion team Seattle Kraken takingMatt Beniers second.

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In total, five programs have 20 or more first-round draftees.

When it comes to the first round, Michigan hasa solid gripatop the record books. Minnesota trails with 22apiece while Boston College, Boston University and North Dakota areright behind.Only one other schoolhascracked the double-digit mark through 58years —Wisconsin.

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Of these teams, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin all now play in the Big Ten. In other words, it's not hard to figure outwhich conference might have the most first-round picks. But, here's a breakdown of which leagues produce the most top-round talent in the NHL.

*Conference counts are by where teams play currently, not previously

And finally,the most heralded draft choice — the No. 1 overall pick.Michigan'sOwen Powerwas the first college player selected first overall in 15 years, bythe Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 draft. He became just the fourth collegianto go No. 1 overall. Michigan State's Joe Murphy was the first in 1986. It'd be another 14 years before Boston University goalieRick DiPietro was taken first overall. Then in 2006, Minnesota defender Erik Johnson was selected first by the St. Louis Blues.